For years I have studied driverless vehicles and related artificial intelligence, both for my consulting work with the cities of Glendale and Burbank, and due to personal interest in the subject (I am writing a book about women and technology).

It is my belief that vehicle companies and their various suppliers are attempting to fool legislators and investors into thinking that automated cars are eminent, and a natural step in technology progress.

Last week I was very happy to hear that Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, stated publicly that these cars are nowhere near ready for prime-time.

And today I was glad to learn that Common Cause is involving itself in fighting against a particular legislative measure that these tech companies are trying to secret / ram through Congress: the AV START Act (S. 1885).

I urge you to read the analysis from Advocates for Highway & Auto Safety, and to begin to understand how far away is a safely driven automated car, relying on artificial intelligence. For these businesses to try to convince legislators that it is necessary to waive safety rules in the name of tech auto progress is ludicrous, shameful and completely irresponsible – as would a vote in their favor be.